Xcar-coupling



- (No Model.)

G. W NORTON GAR COUPLING.

No, 284,974. Y Patented ept. 11,, 1883.

ATENT Erica.

GEORGE W. NORTON, QF FREEMAN, MAINE.

' CAR-COUPLlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,974, dated September 11, 1853.

Application filed January 2, 1888. (N0 model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. NORTON, of Freeman, in the county of Franklin, State of Maine, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Gar-Couplers, of which the following is a description sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional isometrical perspective view, showing the coupler with the link detached and pin down; Fig. 2, avertical 1011- gitudinal section, showing the coupler with link detached and pin up; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section, showing the coupler with the link inserted and pin down; and Fig. 4, an end view, the link and pin being in the position shown in Fig. 3.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

My invention relates more especially to that class of car-couplers which are automatic or self-acting in their operation; and it consists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed, by which a simpler, cheaper, and more effective device of this character is producedth an is now in ordinary use.

The nature and operation of the improve ment will be readily understood by all conversant with such matters from the following explanation, its extreme simplicity rendering an elaborate description unnecessary.

In the drawings, A represents the draw-bar,

B the pin, and G the link.

The draw-bar is provided witha longitudinal chamber or opening, D, which terminates at its outer end in the flaring mouth E in the usual manner, and opening into this chamber,

, at its top, there is a smaller chamber, G, the

floor of which inclines downwardly from its front or closed end to its rear end, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

A gravitating or weighted lever, H, is disposed in the chamber D, being pivoted on the pin :0, and provided with two upwardly-curved arms, on m, at its forward e11d,and with an upwardly-projeeting flange, f, near its center,

the flange being slotted vertically, as shown at e, to receive the pin B.

Disposed in the chamber G there is a horizontally-arranged roller, H, which, when the pin B is removed, rolls or gravitates to the rear of the chamber until immediately across the path of the pin or hole in which the pin is inserted, where it is stopped by its ends-conr ing into contact with two flanges, g, which project downwardly from the upper part of the chamber D, one on either side of the flange f.

The lever H is provided with a vertical slot, t, for the pin 00, and is so weighted or constructed that its inner end will fall onto the floor of the chamber D, and the arms on m remain elevated when the link 0 is removed. The lower side of the arms is cut out to receive the link 0, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, leaving the side flanges, 12, which act as guides, and forming the shoulder 1, against which the inner end of the link strikes as it enters the draw-bar head.

As the coupler consists of two draw-bar heads, each provided with precisely the same devices, it is deemed necessary to show but one. It will also be understood that the pin B may be connected with a chain reaching to the platform or top of the ear for uncoupling the same.

In the use of my improvement one of the draw-bar heads is fitted with a link, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4; and as the draw-bars of the two cars to be coupled are brought together, the free end of the link will pass into the mouth of the chamberD under the arms m, and between the flanges 1), until it strikes the shoulder i, the lever H sliding upwardly on the pin 00 as the link advances. I XVhen the link has advanced in the chamber D until it reaches and strikes the shoulder t, the lever will be tilted on the pin 09, its inner end being raised and the arms at depressed, bringing the flange f into contact with the roller H, on which the pin B is resting, causing the roller to move up ward in the chamber G or out of the path of the pin, thereby permitting the pin to fall through the groove or slot 2 and link 0 and couple the cars, ina manner which will be readily Obvious without a more explicit descrip- 'tion.

To prevent the link from entering the mouth.

IOO

of the chamber D above the arms m, where cars are not of the same height, a downwardlyprojecting flange or lip, 19, is provided, which projects between the ends of said arms when they are elevated, and thus closes the path for the link.

The inner end of the lever H being heaviest, it will be obvious that when the link is in the draw-barhead and the pin B down, the link will be forced against the pin 13 by the shoulder t, the weight of the lever on the link keeping it in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3, or in such a position that its outer or free end will readily enter the companion drawbar in coupling the cars.

Having thus eirplained my invention, what I claim is 1. The improved car-coupler described, the same consisting of the pin 13, link 0, and lever H, in combination with the draw-bar A, pro vided with the chambers D G and roller H, all constructed, combined, and arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

2. In a car-coupler substantially such as described, the lever H, provided with the flange f, for forcing back the roller as the link -noRGEw. NORTON.

Vitnesses:

G. A. SHAW,

H. E. BIETOALF. 

